Home / Lakes / Horseshoe Horseshoe Stearns County, Minnesota — DOW #73015700
154 Surveys
Special Regulations for Horseshoe
This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.
Daily limit 10. (Sauk River Chain of Lakes from State Highway 23 Bridge in T.123, R.31, S.24, downstream to the Cold Spring Dam in T.123, R.30, S.23, including connecting waters, Sauk River, and Becker, Horseshoe, Cedar Island, Zumwalde, Great Northern, Schneider, Krays, Bolfing, and Knaus Lakes.) Invasive Species Alert Horseshoe has confirmed populations of:
Eurasian watermilfoil zebra mussel
Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.
DNR Fish Surveys
Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Horseshoe.
Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.
Black Bullhead Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 9.2 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.63 lb 92 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 27.7 (above normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.57 lb 194 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.52 lb 24 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 10.6 (above normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.65 lb 106 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.6 (below normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.59 lb 5 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.79 lb 1
Brown Bullhead Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.60 lb 1 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.90 lb 1 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 1.6 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.75 lb 13 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.86 lb 17 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 1.26 lb 4
Yellow Perch Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 2.2 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.10 lb 22 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 23.1 (normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.18 lb 162 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 2.9 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.12 lb 23 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 21.2 (normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.10 lb 212 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 11.8 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.04 lb 118 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 36.0 (above normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.09 lb 252 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 1.7 (below normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.14 lb 15 2003-07-14 Survey seining 0.7 — — 2 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 31.9 (above normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.12 lb 287
SLR Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 5.14 lb 11 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 5.13 lb 4 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 4.63 lb 12 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.6 — 2.08 lb 5
Yellow Bullhead Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.9 (below normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.85 lb 6 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 6.6 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.90 lb 66 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 0.9 – 10.0 1.05 lb 7 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 3.1 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.80 lb 25 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 1.6 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.97 lb 18 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.76 lb 3 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.90 lb 13
Northern Pike Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 4.1 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 3.20 lb 29 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 5.57 lb 3 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 4.2 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 3.33 lb 42 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 2.85 lb 4 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 6.4 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 2.84 lb 45 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 2.3 (below normal) 3.1 – 8.5 2.97 lb 21 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 1.49 lb 2 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 5.7 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 3.05 lb 51
Channel Catfish Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.6 — 2.20 lb 4 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 5.30 lb 1 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 16.0 — 1.22 lb 112 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 1.33 lb 1 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 3.5 — 2.72 lb 38 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 9.6 — 2.77 lb 86 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 3.9 — 3.29 lb 35
GRR Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.7 — 7.40 lb 7 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 5.84 lb 1 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 5.24 lb 2 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 4.08 lb 1 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 4.80 lb 4 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.8 — 2.14 lb 7
Shorthead Redhorse Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 1.9 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.2 2.19 lb 13 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 4.1 (above normal) 0.3 – 3.9 1.86 lb 41 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 4.0 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.2 2.42 lb 40 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 6.8 (above normal) 0.3 – 3.9 2.87 lb 54 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 3.4 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.2 2.29 lb 24 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 3.9 2.43 lb 10 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 11.3 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.2 1.83 lb 102 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 3.9 1.81 lb 11 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 2.9 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.2 1.88 lb 26
Common Carp Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 1.1 5.90 lb 2 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 1.7 13.25 lb 2 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.1 3.00 lb 1 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 1.7 7.42 lb 3 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.1 17.53 lb 1
Smallmouth Bass Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 1.46 lb 5 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.4 2.00 lb 1 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 1.4 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.0 1.77 lb 10 2003-07-14 Standard electrofishing 22.8 — 1.26 lb 18 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 1.1 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.0 1.26 lb 10 2003-07-14 Fall electrofishing 3.6 — 3.56 lb 2 2024-08-19 Standard electrofishing 4.0 — 1.99 lb 8 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 1.41 lb 2
Walleye Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 3.08 lb 16 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 1.65 lb 2 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 1.2 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.5 2.56 lb 12 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 1.31 lb 4 2016-10-06 Fall electrofishing 164.9 — 0.33 lb 147 2018-10-17 Fall electrofishing 225.9 — 0.10 lb 137 2021-10-07 Fall electrofishing 210.4 — 0.64 lb 218 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 4.9 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 1.82 lb 34 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 2.42 lb 3 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 1.31 lb 24 2003-07-14 Fall electrofishing 154.3 — 0.48 lb 86 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 4.32 lb 3 2003-07-14 Standard electrofishing 13.9 — 0.63 lb 11 2015-10-13 Fall electrofishing 191.6 — 0.26 lb 133 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 3.1 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 1.55 lb 28
Bluegill Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 1.7 — 0.27 lb 12 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 44.4 (above normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.36 lb 444 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 1.1 — 0.26 lb 11 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 26.6 (normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.24 lb 213 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 0.4 — 0.36 lb 3 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 2.2 (below normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.23 lb 22 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 3.9 — 0.29 lb 35 2003-07-14 Survey seining 204.0 — — 612 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 7.5 (normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.29 lb 83 2021-05-19 Special trap nets 17.3 — 0.39 lb 276 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 14.7 — 0.20 lb 132
White Sucker Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 0.86 lb 5 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 2.60 lb 2 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 7.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.18 lb 70 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 1.1 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.91 lb 9 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 8.4 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.5 1.88 lb 59 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 2.38 lb 6 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 2.63 lb 2 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 4.4 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.33 lb 40 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.16 lb 5
Black Crappie Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard gill nets 4.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.14 lb 28 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 21.3 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.27 lb 213 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 11.9 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.29 lb 119 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 75.6 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.26 lb 605 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 28.1 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.12 lb 197 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 16.5 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.14 lb 165 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 8.2 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.22 lb 74 2003-07-14 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1 2003-07-14 Standard trap nets 4.0 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.36 lb 44 2021-05-19 Special trap nets 8.0 — 0.45 lb 128 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 4.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.24 lb 39
Largemouth Bass Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.90 lb 3 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.81 lb 3 2003-07-14 Standard electrofishing 22.8 — 1.11 lb 18 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.26 lb 1 2003-07-14 Survey seining 2.0 — 0.01 lb 6 2024-08-19 Standard electrofishing 19.4 — 1.25 lb 39 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.52 lb 2
Pumpkinseed Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.15 lb 4 1980-07-24 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.21 lb 10 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.07 lb 1 2003-07-14 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1 2021-05-19 Special trap nets 0.1 — 0.25 lb 2 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.12 lb 2
Bowfin Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1990-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.0 4.20 lb 1 1980-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.4 3.28 lb 2 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.0 4.63 lb 1 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.4 2.80 lb 1
GLR Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 5.84 lb 1 1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 6.06 lb 3
Tullibee (Cisco) Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 0.7 – 6.5 0.66 lb 10
SFS Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 1.7 — 5
Hybrid Sunfish Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.25 lb 2 2003-07-14 Survey seining 1.7 — — 5 2021-05-19 Special trap nets 0.1 — 0.38 lb 1 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.38 lb 1
RHS Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 2003-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 3.36 lb 1 2024-08-19 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 1.43 lb 1
Brook Trout Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 7.7 — 23
Bluntnose Minnow Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 6.7 — 20
Golden Shiner Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 2.7 — 8
Logperch Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 4.7 — 14
Johnny Darter Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 1.3 — 4
Tadpole Madtom Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 0.3 — 1
Common Shiner Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2003-07-14 Survey seining 3.7 — 11
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Fish Species Species known to inhabit Horseshoe. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Fishing Guides Near Horseshoe Other Lakes in Stearns County Plan Your Trip to Horseshoe
Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026.
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